Bible Dictionary: Definition of doulos, Define doulos

Keep in mind that we have no righteousness outside of Christ. Jesus is our righteousness and our holiness and our redemption.

Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters, for we will end up loving one and hating the other.

God gives us a look at two different types of slavery. Paul said that he was a love slave of Jesus. This is God's system where a person could decide to serve a kind and loving master for life. Satan's system is an abusive system.

There are two potential masters, Jesus and Satan. Satan runs an abusive slave-labor system that whips, beats, and robs you. Satan wants to do nothing but to rob you, bind you, and steal your victory from you. Jesus is a loving Master. These are metaphors that the Bible uses. Another metaphor says that Jesus is the shepherd and we are the sheep. He said, "My sheep hear My voice." He also said that anyone who loves Him will obey Him.

It is different for those who are mature in Christ. They come to the point where Christ has been so formed in them that they desire to do the will of God. Christ always conforms His will to the will of the Father in perfect, complete, submission to the Father. This is the state of the mature Christian. Perhaps it would be better to say, relatively mature Christian. The full maturity in Christ will not be attained individually. True maturity is a state of being in the unity that Jesus prayed for, unity with each other and with Jesus and the Father in the same way that Jesus and the Father are in unity with each other. This is the point where the Water of Life, the Anointing, the Holy Spirit is flowing through us so freely that we are filled with God. This is the Day in which we will never hunger or thirst. What a Day that will be!

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], and was made in the likeness of men:

Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], though he be lord of all;
Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

δουλος doulos, pronounced doo'-los, Strong's number 1401. Here is the meaning:
1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition
1a) a slave
1b) metaph., one who gives himself up to another's will, those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
1c) devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests
2) a servant, attendant

Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave]:

Matthew 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Matthew 21:36 Again, he sent other servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] more than the first: and they did to them likewise.

Matthew 22:3 And sent forth his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Matthew 22:4 Again, he sent forth other servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.

Matthew 22:6 And the remnant took his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

Matthew 22:8 Then saith he to his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Matthew 22:10 So those servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Matthew 24:46 Blessed is that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], and delivered to them his goods.

Matthew 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] cometh, and reckoneth with them.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave]: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:23 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave]; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said to him, Thou wicked and slothful servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of all.

Mark 12:2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

Mark 12:4 And again he sent to them another servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave]; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.

Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], Do this, and he doeth it.

Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say to you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves].

Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Luke 12:45 But and if that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:47 And that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 14:17 And sent his servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Luke 14:21 So that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Luke 14:22 And the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

Luke 14:23 And the lord said to the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] plowing or feeding cattle, will say to him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

Luke 17:9 Doth he thank that servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves]: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, Occupy till I come.

Luke 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] to be called to him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Luke 19:17 And he said to him, Well, thou good servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave]: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Luke 19:22 And he saith to him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave]. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Luke 20:10 And at the season he sent a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

Luke 20:11 And again he sent another servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave]: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

Luke 22:50 And one of them smote the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

John 4:51 And as he was now going down, his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say to you, The servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves]; for the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

John 18:18 And the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

Acts 2:18 And on my servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to thy servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Acts 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of the most high God, which shew to us the way of salvation.

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] to uncleanness and to iniquity to iniquity; even so now yield your members servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] to righteousness to holiness.

Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave].

1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of men.

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of Christ.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], though he be lord of all;

Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], and was made in the likeness of men:

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

James 1:1 James, a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of God.

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to shew to his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] John:

Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] of our God in their foreheads.

Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] the prophets.

Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward to thy servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave] of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Revelation 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] at her hand.

Revelation 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves], and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Revelation 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slave], both small and great.

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants [Greek: doulos. Literally: Slaves] shall serve him:

Revelation 22:6 And he said to me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets